Balancing Ambitions Podcast

Welcome to the Balancing Ambitions Podcast! In this special solo episode, Kim Menapace shares a heartfelt journey that’s been years in the making. Kim opens up about her lifelong dream to run the Boston Marathon, a dream that's finally coming true in 2026. She gets into her earliest memories of cheering on family members along the iconic marathon route, recounts both triumphs and setbacks from...

In this episode of Balancing Ambitions , Angela Lee opens up about her journey through burnout, identity loss, and rebuilding confidence as a working parent. Angel shares what burnout really looked like in her life, how it impacted her work and motherhood, and the moment she realized something had to change. The conversation explores the pressure many parents feel to “do it all,” the guilt that co...

In this episode of Balancing Ambitions , Lindsey (Schmidt) Rodriguez shares the deeply personal journey that led her into real estate, short-term rentals, and a completely transformed way of living. From navigating New York City lockdowns in a 400-square-foot studio with her husband, to discovering financial freedom through house hacking, Lindsey opens up about the pivotal moments that reshaped he...

In this episode of the Balancing Ambitions Podcast , Kim sits down with Angie Wisdom — ICF Master Certified Coach, author, and co-owner of a global alternative investment firm — to explore the powerful connection between values, self-trust, and creating a fulfilling life. Angie shares her journey from starting in the financial industry at just 16 to discovering her true calling in coaching and per...

In this solo episode, Kim shares a deeply personal life update covering everything from big fitness goals to summer rhythms in Cape Cod. She opens up about her decision to officially run the Boston Marathon in 2026 , the mindset shifts that inspired her, and how zone 2 training has already changed her physical and mental discipline. Kim also reflects on the unexpected stress and growth that came w...

What if one unexpected moment could change your entire path? In this episode, Stacy St. John shares how her son's last-minute college decision became the start of a thriving real estate empire. From rebuilding with purpose to launching a bestselling book, Stacy opens up about trusting your gut, making bold moves, and redefining what success looks like. 🎯 We talk motherhood, mindset, barbersho...

In this episode of Balancing Ambitions , Kim Menipace sits down with Brad Flanagan—a U.S. Army veteran turned real estate investor, entrepreneur, and coach. Brad opens up about going from a 400 credit score and repossessed vehicle to building a $20M+ real estate portfolio with his wife, Jamie. They dive deep into money mindset, financial transparency in marriage, and practical tips for couples to...

In this powerful episode of Balancing Ambitions, Kim Menapace sits down with Kim Fitzpatrick—speaker, leadership coach, CEO of Legacy by Kim, and co-host of Fitz Life Unfiltered. From building million-dollar businesses and navigating near-bankruptcy to reclaiming time, presence, and purpose, Kim shares how she went from corporate hustle to intentional legacy-building. This conversation is filled w...

In this episode of Balancing Ambitions , Kim Menapace sits down with Ashley Freeman, founder of Velvet Ditch Villas, a single mom turned short-term rental powerhouse. Ashley shares how she went from scraping by as a tennis coach to managing over 100 STR units—and how her faith, hustle, and heart helped shape the empire she’s building today. From spiritual mission trips to building a team of 20+ wo...

Welcome to the latest episode of Balancing Ambitions! In this solo episode, I reflect on the challenges and growth that come with navigating a busy season of life. Inspired by a thought-provoking question from my mentor, I explore what it means to feel calm and serene even when you’re not ten steps ahead of everyone else. With a full schedule of work demands, family commitments, and upcoming trave...

Welcome to the latest episode of Balancing Ambitions! Today, I’m joined by Danni Higgins—COO of a Portland-based accounting firm, real estate investor, entrepreneur, and mom. In this episode, we unpack her unconventional path from working as a speech pathologist with adults facing neurodegenerative diseases to managing a real estate portfolio and helping run a business, all while raising a toddler...

Welcome to the latest episode of Balancing Ambitions! Today, Dave Menapace joins me as we open up about our parenting journey, specifically the lessons we’ve learned over the past nine months navigating challenges with our son, Logan. Parenting is an ever-evolving process, and in this episode, we share our experiences with understanding emotions, seeking professional support, and learning how to p...

Welcome to the latest episode of Balancing Ambitions! Today, we have a returning guest—my husband, Dave Menapace. Dave is the CEO and co-founder of The 5-Star Co-Host, a short-term rental management company, and has built an impressive career as a real estate investor, consultant, and coach. After spending over a decade in the healthcare technology sector, Dave made a bold move into entrepreneursh...

Welcome to the latest episode of Balancing Ambitions! Today, we’re joined by MeiLani Hock, a keynote speaker, corporate trainer, real estate investor, and founder of Why NOT Me? Academy. MeiLani’s journey is one of resilience, transformation, and intentional living. After her son’s brain cancer diagnosis in 2014, she left the corporate world to take control of her time, diving into real estate, Ai...

Welcome to the latest episode of Balancing Ambitions! Today, we’re joined by Jayla Siciliano, CEO and founder of Atlas Vacations, host of the Seed Money Podcast, and a former Shark Tank entrepreneur. Jayla has navigated the highs and lows of business, from securing a deal with Mark Cuban to pivoting into real estate and vacation rental management. In this episode, she shares her journey of buildin...

Welcome to the latest episode of Balancing Ambitions! After an unexpected break, I’m back with exciting updates, reflections, and plans for 2025. Life threw some major changes my way, from moving homes to navigating the chaos of the holidays, but now I’m ready to bring you more episodes packed with insights, experiences, and valuable conversations. In this special solo episode, I share the challen...

Welcome to the latest episode of Balancing Ambitions! Today, we have a special guest, my husband, Dave Menapace, CEO and Co-Founder of The 5-Star Co-Host. Dave brings his rich experience as a real estate investor, property manager, and former healthcare technology professional to this heartfelt conversation about our 10-year journey with dog ownership. Together, we explore the joys, challenges, an...

Welcome to the latest episode of Balancing Ambitions! In this special solo episode, I take a moment to reflect on five key lessons learned in 2024. From personal growth to professional milestones, this year has been filled with breakthroughs, changes, and new perspectives that I’m excited to share with you. In this heartfelt episode, I discuss the power of letting go and how it can create space fo...

Welcome to the latest episode of Balancing Ambitions! Today, we’re joined by Jenn Kim, Vice President, Global Benefits at Sony Music Entertainment. Jenn brings a wealth of experience from her corporate journey and shares her perspectives on parenting, wellness, and work-life integration. As a mother of two young children and a seasoned professional, Jenn offers thoughtful insights on balancing a h...

Welcome to the latest episode of Balancing Ambitions ! Today, we’re excited to feature Laila Farally, a dynamic entrepreneur who has navigated career transitions from hospitality to real estate and family business. A graduate of Penn State, Laila built her expertise with renowned brands like Marriott and Hilton before joining her family’s fine jewelry business. She is also an accomplished real est...

Welcome to the latest episode of Balancing Ambitions! Today, we’re thrilled to have Josh Allen, Chief Revenue Officer at Quickbase, as our guest. With over two decades of experience building and leading high-performing sales teams, Josh has been instrumental in driving growth at companies like Drift, CarGurus, and LogMeIn. His journey includes scaling Drift’s ARR from $20 million to $60 million in...

Welcome to the latest episode of Balancing Ambitions! Today, we're joined by Tonya Montella, a highly respected entrepreneur and career coach, sought after by organizations like The Mom Project, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Drift. Tonya’s journey has been marked by six successful career transitions, culminating in senior leadership roles and a 50% salary boost in just three years. She now e...

Welcome to the latest episode of Balancing Ambitions! Today, we're joined by Mike Connolly, a retired sales executive turned business owner and coach. Mike started his career in engineering but found his true calling in sales, leading teams at PAETEC, Windstream, and Experian before landing a life-changing role at CarGurus. After retiring, Mike quickly realized he wasn’t done yet and founded Pay F...

Welcome to the latest episode of Balancing Ambitions ! Today, we are joined by Lorie-Lyn Fernandes, Director of Enterprise Applications at CarGurus, and a seasoned entrepreneur with a passion for photography. Lorie-Lyn has spent over a decade balancing a thriving career in technology and her own photography business. In this episode, she dives into the importance of setting boundaries, embracing a...

Hi, I’m Kim Menapace, host of the Balancing Ambitions podcast! As a mom of two, wife, corporate woman, and entrepreneur, I know firsthand how challenging it is to juggle family, work, side hustles, and self-care. But here’s the thing—balancing it all is possible! On my podcast, I’ll be sharing stories and insights from my own journey, including how my husband and I grew our real estate co-hosting...